Breaking down the top 50 fantasy hockey players

Breaking down the top 50 fantasy hockey playersNHL.com fantasy expert Matt Cubeta breaks down the top 50 overall fantasy hockey player rankings for the 2014-15 season.

Yahoo's fantasy hockey registration is officially open. You're building your league and inviting your friends to join. You're figuring out when and where to have the draft. Then the research begins. You're debating who to take in what round and who you can grab late in the draft. Who can help you in the penalty minutes category and who will help with power-play points?

From now until the puck drops on Oct. 8, all of these decisions come into play as the NHL and fantasy hockey seasons officially begin.

The most important thing for your fantasy draft is to remember that the more you read and take in, the better prepared you'll be.

Now it's time to find out the reasons behind our top 50 fantasy player rankings.

Why is Evgeni Malkin ranked higher than last season's MVP nominees Ryan Getzlaf and Claude Giroux? Why is Jamie Benn the highest-ranked left wing? Why did we choose P.K. Subban ahead of Erik Karlsson among defensemen? These are just a few of the many questions you might have asked when you first viewed our consensus rankings. Now you get to understand why these select few are considered the 50 best fantasy players in the game, according to NHL.com.

The overall ranking order is based on NHL.com's composite rankings determined by fantasy insiders Matt Cubeta, Pete Jensen and Matt Sitkoff (average of each expert's selections).

NOTE: Positional status based on where players are listed in Yahoo fantasy hockey leagues. Age reflects how old player will be at the start of the season. Ranking reflects each player's fantasy value, taking into account statistical history, performance in default Yahoo categories (G, A, +/-, PIM, PPP, SOG), potential future lineup placement, strength of projected linemates and, most importantly, our expectations for how they will perform this coming season.

Outlook: Our unanimous No. 1 player again. As long as Crosby can remain healthy, as he did last year, he'll deliver. Since debuting in 2005-06, his 1.40 points per game are by far best in NHL (Malkin's 1.22 is second).

Outlook: Despite missing 45 games last season, he still scored 25 goals in 37 games and his .68 goals/game were tops in the NHL. His .63 goals/game since 2009 is also best in the NHL and his 380 points are third.

Outlook: Since 2010, Perry ranks third in goals, sixth in points, fourth in power-play goals, fourth in shots. He also averages 92 PIM/season and is extremely consistent - at least one point in 52 games last season (fifth).

Outlook: Point production is as good as it gets (only Crosby averaged more points per game than his 1.20) and peripherals are tremendous. Just needs to stay healthy after missing 39 games in the past two seasons.

Outlook: Penalty minutes (31) were lowest since his rookie season, but everything else was elite. Like Perry, he never slumped, recording at least a point in 55 games (second). He could reach 100 points in 2014-15.

Outlook: Led NHL in goals (51) and shots (386), was second in power-play points (39) and eighth in points (79). Downside: his minus-35 was third-worst. Rating should improve and he'll be fantasy gold again.

Outlook: Missed 23 games last season but still had 24 goals and 66 points in 59 games. Questionable linemates and rating issues continue to hinder value, but he should return to being a top-10 fantasy player.

Outlook: No one has more assists (158) or points (227) than Giroux in the past three seasons. After slow start in 2013-14 (0 G, 7 A in first 15 games), he had 28 goals and 79 points in his final 67 games.

Outlook: Has to be first goalie drafted after posting 2.04 GAA, .930 SV% and an NHL-best seven shutouts. Should receive more than 60 starts for first time and be among League leaders in all categories again.

Outlook: Was headed to best season of career before getting injured (29 G, 69 pts in 69 games), and again stepped up in Stanley Cup Playoffs (8 G, 20 pts in 19 games). With new contract, he'll continue to be elite.

Outlook: After a slow start (.907 SV% , 2.76 GAA in first 32 games), he finished season with a .920 SV% and 2.36 GAA and had an outstanding playoff run (.927 SV%, 2.14 GAA). Has ability to be the No. 1 overall goalie.

Outlook: Erupted for career bests in every category (34 G, 79 pts, plus-21, 64 PIM, 19 PPP, 279 SOG) and finished as seventh ranked fantasy player. Could turn into Perry-type but at LW and remain elite for years.

Outlook: Has potential to exceed 90 points after turning in career highs last season (37 G, 84 pts) alongside Benn. His 294 shots were fourth-most in the NHL. Only category he won't help with is penalty minutes.

Outlook: Model of consistency; has missed just 12 games in five seasons and averages 35 goals, 75 points and 312 shots. His plus/minus and PIMs won't help you, but he'll provide elite point production.

Outlook: Elite production in all categories except PIMs. Still has upside to produce even more points playing on line with Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa. Expect 30 goals, 75 points, plus-25 and a top-20 player.

Outlook: The gap between Subban and Karlsson is close, but Subban's PIMs give him the edge. In past two seasons among d-men, his 91 points are tops, 21 goals are fifth, 138 PIMs are third and 330 SOG are fourth.

Outlook: If you draft Kopitar, you'll be getting 25-plus goals, 70-plus points, an excellent plus/minus, 25-plus power-play points and 200-plus shots. Addition of Marian Gaborik to his line could see him reach new heights.

Outlook: Among goalies with at least 150 games since 2010, Quick's 2.14 GAA ranks first, .918 SV% is tied for seventh, 115 wins are fifth and 23 shutouts are second. Elite defense in front of him doesn't hurt, either.

Outlook: In terms of point production on defense, no one can compete with Karlsson. In past three seasons, his .92 points per game are easily tops (45 G, 111 A in 180 games). Loss of Spezza could hurt, though.

Outlook: After struggling with injuries in first two seasons, Hall has remained healthy in past two years; his 87 assists and 130 points during that time are sixth in NHL. If plus/minus improves, he could be a top-10 player.

Outlook: Had career year in 2013-14 with personal bests in goals (41), points (79), rating (plus-23) and power-play points (31), but extremely high shooting percentage (18.2) should result in some regression.

Outlook: In past 10 seasons, hasn't finished with a minus rating and continues to thrive on the top line with Crosby. Getting older, but 30 goals, 60 points and phenomenal peripheral stats are still likely.

Outlook: Finished sixth overall in Yahoo leagues last season after career year (34 G, 78 pts, plus-13, 313 SOG) skating on line with Toews and Hossa. Expect a step back to 30 goals, 65 points and 275 shots.

Outlook: In past 15 years, only eight rookies have had more points than MacKinnon's 63 last season, and none had better rating (plus-20). Should see increase in ice time (17:20). No player in NHL has more upside.

Outlook: Still one of the best in reality, but Datsyuk's fantasy value is diminishing after 37-point season in just 45 games. Still has talent to post point-per-game numbers, but age and injury potential drop him in ranks.

Outlook: Coming off career year (34 wins, 2.32 GAA, .927 SV%, 6 SO) that saw him finish as No. 2 fantasy goalie, Price will cost you an early pick. But he's worth it and has potential to be No. 1 goalie by season's end.

Outlook: Despite missing 37 games last season, Zetterberg's production was still excellent (16 G, 48 pts, plus-19, 151 shots). If he and Datsyuk can remain in lineup, a top-25-caliber season is within reach.

Outlook: Quietly had best season of career, setting highs in points (70), rating (plus-8) and shots on goal (217) in 71 games. Shooting percentage was lower than normal (10.6), so expect 30-plus goals in 2014-15.

Outlook: Among players 25 or younger, only Stamkos, Tavares, Toews have more goals than Couture's 112 and his 924 SOG rank second. Couture is the new face of the Sharks and could finish with 35 goals, 70 points.

Outlook: Had most complete fantasy season of career in 2013-14 and was only player with 30-plus goals (30), 60-plus points (62), 40-plus PIMs (43), rating of plus-30 or better (plus-38) and 30-plus PP points (32).

Outlook: His point-per-game days are in the past, but he still provides solid value across the board (29 G, 27 A, plus-10, 30 PIMs, 20 PPP, 245 shots in 67 games). Should be able to put up 30 goals and 70 points.

Outlook: In the past five years, only four players have had a season with 25-plus goals, 55-plus points, 100-plus PIMs and a rating of plus-10 or better. Backes did it last season and could do so again in 2014-15.

Outlook: In the past two years, only Rask has better save percentage and more shutouts than Bobrovsky (.926 SV% and 9 SO). Playing on improved Columbus team could see him return as Vezina Trophy finalist.

Outlook: Since 2005, only five players averaged more points per game than Spezza's 1.06 (min. of 300 games). Despite being Dallas' No. 2 center, he should return to 30 goals, 75 points with a much better rating.

Outlook: Broke out with 39 goals (fourth in NHL) and 60 points in 73 games last season. He should continue to get better and better. His 10 multi-goal games led NHL, and he won't hurt you in any single category.

Outlook: His 208 assists and 242 points in the past five seasons are most by any d-man, and his plus-73 during that span ranks fifth. As consistent as they come and has plenty of firepower up front in Chicago.

Outlook: Came out of nowhere last season to post most wins (41) and third-best save percentage (.927) in NHL after averaging .912 SV% and 2.61 GAA in 147 previous games. Should easily be a top-10 goalie again.

Outlook: Great category coverage (30 G, 30 A, plus-28, 241 SOG in 72 games) despite dealing with injuries. Draft him knowing he'll miss some time, but he still has top-five RW potential playing on elite line.

Outlook: Had least-productive season in past 10 years, and goals/game and points/game have decreased in each of the past four seasons (.22 goals/game, .64 points/game). Could bounce back, but a risky pick.

Outlook: In the past five years, seven players have had seasons with 25-plus goals, 60-plus points, 100-plus PIM and 200-plus SOG. Simmonds did so in 2013-14. He's also a power-play machine (15 G, 9 A last season).

Outlook: Still capable of point-per-game numbers, but lack of goals (11), PIMs (32) and shots on goal (122) diminish fantasy value. Still a top-20 center, but Pavelski and Couture are the new guns in San Jose.

Outlook: He may be getting older, but production is still exceptional (33 G, 70 pts last season) and hasn't missed a game in the past five years. During that time, he's fourth in goals, 15th in points and fifth in shots.

Outlook: Struggled after joining Rangers (1 G, 7 A in 19 games) but had productive playoffs (8 G, 7 A in 25 games). Comfort level will increase in year two in NY, but he won't put up the numbers he had with Stamkos.

Outlook: Regular-season production hasn't quite been elite in past four years, but playoff numbers show potential (5 G, 13 A in 26 games). We've ranked him fifth among defensemen; we're believers in a breakout.

Outlook: Since 2012, no player has averaged more goals per 60 minutes in 5-on-5 regular-season play or averaged more SOG per 60 minutes than Nash. Despite rough playoffs, expect massive bounceback season.